Pipeline swab



Sept. 16, 1947. J. F. STEPHENS PIPELINE SWAB Filed Aug. 16, 1943 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 mms/TOR. dfe/f 55120/7075 HTTNEX 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 sept. is, 1947.

J. F. STEPHENS PIPELINE SWAB Filed Aug. 16, 1943 Patented Sept. 16, 1947 PIPELINE SWAB Joseph F. Stephens, Kansas City, Mo., assigner to Gustin-Bacon Manufacturing Company, a

corporation of Missouri Application August 16, 1943, Serial No. 498,790

9 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in pipe line swabs and refers more particularly to a cleaning device used in pipe lines to clean incrustations or deposits from the interior of the line and to separate different types of oil or known amounts of oil passing through the line.

Where petroleum products are being shipped by pipe line there is inevitably formed within the line due to chemical or electrolytic reactions, or the existence of suspended foreign matter in the oil, incrustrations, deposits which must be periodically removed or the capacity of the line seriously aifected.

To clean out these deposits it has been common practice to send through the line with the oil being pumped a swab or go-devil equipped with iiexible disks which fit snugly in the pipe and as they pass through give a squeegee action to the interior surface of the pipe.

To remove rust or deposits adhering more tenaciously to the pipes metallic surface all sorts of abraiding or scratching elements have been resorted to.

The instant device employs both the flexible disks and the frictional scratching elements of the prior art but has for its novelty an adjustment mechanism easily 4operable from one end of the device to increase the diameter of the flexible disks when they have worn down and have lost their effectiveness as pipe cleaners. The swab also provides an easily assembled unit and one in which the flexible disks cannot only be adjusted as to diameter but may also be interchanged from the front to an intermediate or rear position, according to the wear to which they have been subjected and where they will function most effectively.

In the accompanying drawings which form a part of the specification, and are to be read in conjunction therewith, and in which like reference numerals are used to indicate like parts in the various views,

Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the device,

Fig. 2 is a View taken along the line 2-2 in Fig. 1 in the direction of the arrows,

Fig. 3 is a sectional View taken along the line 3-3 in Fig. 1 in the direction of the arrows,

Fig. 4 is a face view partly broken away of a disk divided into four segments,

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional'view taken along the line `5-5 in Fig. 4 in the direction of the arrows,

Fig. 6 is a face View partly broken away of a modied form of disk with reinforcement,

Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken along the line I-T in Fig. 6 in the direction of the arrows,

` Fig. 8 is a. further modification in which segmental disks having a cup shape are used,

Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken along the line 9 9 in Fig, 8 in the direction of the arrows,

Fig. 10 is a face View of a modified disk assembly with parts broken away employing a combination of the structural features shown in Figs. 6, 7, 8 and 9.

Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II in Fig. 10 in the direction of the arrows. Y

In Fig. 1 the swab is shown entering the end of pipe IU. The device consists of a front head II, equipped with diametrically extending studs I2 to which is attached a, bail I3. This bail is useful for withdrawing the swab from the line when it has been diverted into a discharge pipe at the y end of the run.

Head I I is screwed to the front end of an outer body member I4 shown as a length of pipe threaded externally at the front end to receive head II and at the tail end to receive a threaded boss or holding nut I5. Between the head II and boss I5 are a plurality of clamping rings hereinafter referred to as clamps, whose hubs have a sliding t upon the outer body member I4. To distinguish the clamps, those forward of the disks are designated by the numeral I6 and those rearwardly or behind the disks are designated by the numeral II. Note that the front clamp I6 is formed as a part of head I I.

On said disk clamps I6, behind the head clamp, are formed radial shouldered ns I8 and on the rear clamps Il are fin shaped stops I9. Between the shoulders formed by these elements are positioned Whisker rings 20 to which are attached the scratching or abraiding wires or whiskers 2|` To assure flexibility of the whiskers and to increase their life and effectiveness the ends of the wire whiskers are fastened to anchor studs 2; located beneath the whisker rings 20. The ends of the individual whiskers are attached to these anchor studs. Each of the whiskers is wound in the form of coil springs 2Ia where they pass through apertures in the Whisker supporting ring 20. These coil springs formed in the whiskers give greater flexibility and resiliency to the whisker scratcher members and reduce to a minimum wear between the `Whisker elements and the Whisker rings 20. Normally the whiskers will assume the position indicated by those shown outside of the pipe in Fig. 1 and will be depressed to a more acute angle with the axis of the device and pipe when functioning as abraiding o1' scratching elements as shown within the pipe.

The tension of the springs imposes constant frictional contact between the ends 4of the whiskers and the interior of the pipe. This contact and the angle at which the whiskers are positioned also assures a rotative spiral movement of the swab through the pipe, producing a uniform wear upon the outer surfaces or circumferences of the disks.

Within the outer body member I4 is an inner body member 23. At the rear end of the inner body member is attached an apertured cap 23a into which is t the head end 24a. of the threaded screw 24. The lattachment of screw 24 to the inner b'ody member is in the form of a bayonet joint. Extending through the inner body member and slots in the outer body member are cone holding bolts 25. By means of these bolts cones 26 are rigidly attached to the inner body member 23 and are slidable on outer body member I4. Bolts 25 locate the cones between the front and rear clamps I6 and I1 which hold the disks. The flexible disks are formed in two cr more parts 27a and 2lb as shownrin Figs. 2 and 3. Formed in the halves of the disks are channels 28 which are circular in cross-section and pass circumferentially through therhalves of the disks a short distance inside their outer circumference. Threaded through these channelsV are garter springs 29 capable of being stretchedv in order that their fastened endsZBa and 29h may be hooked or funhooked in assembling and disassembling the disks.

From the foregoing description the reason for making the disks in segments is obvious. In the first place it simplifies assembling and secondly, the disks may be more readily increased in di* ameter by the cones 26 when wear against the interior of the pipe has worn off the outer circumference f the disks.

As previously suggested, if one set of disks Wears more rapidly than another the disks may be inter-changed in their position on the body of the device by disassembling the unit and rearranging the location of the disks.-

In order that the enlargement of the disks by cones 26 be evenly distributed over their curcumference, two disks are placed between each set ofA clamps I6 and I'I and the separation between the segments staggered so as not to produce a through line of division as the segments are spread.

In assembling the unit head II is screwed to outer body member I4. Inner body member 23 is then inserted into the tail-end of the outer body member and front cone 26 axed to the inner body member by bolt 25. The front two disks are mounted on cone 26, the surface of the cone tting against the angled surfaces formed in the segments of the respective disks to conform with the angle of the cone. Rear clamp I1 is then slid on to the outer body member after which the Whisker ring 20 is positioned between stops I9 or clamp I'l and upon thershouldered ns I8 of the adjoining clamp I6. In this manner the successive stages of disk and Whisker units are built up until the rear clamp I'I has been slid into place. Finally boss I6 is screwed on to the tail of the outer body member, the internal threads of the boss engaging the threads of screw 24.

After use in the pipeline the circumferential edges of the flexible disks become worn rendering them ineffective as cleaners for the interior surface of the pipe. To increase the diameter it; is necessary only to loosen threaded boss I sufficiently to relieve the disk segments of clamping pressure imposed by clamps I6 and I'I then turn the square end 24h of screw 24 shifting the inner b'ody member longitudinally of the outer (body member. As the flexible disks are held by clamps I6 and I'I against axial movement and cones 26 are fixed to the inner body member and move therewith, shifting of the inner and outer body members will be reflected by movement of cones 26 along the angled surfaces of the apertures through the disks separating the segments of the disks and expanding their diameters. Two disks being between each clamp and with the separation between the segments staggered', uniform enlargement of the disks is obtained- The partsof the device are preferably of metal except the disks which are formed of rubber or other suitable resilient material. The cones may be made of metal, plastic, or other substance adaptable `for the purpose. A valve may be inserted in the head of theswab and a Vent at the rear to relieve pressure and facilitate its removal from the line.

While garter springs 2-9 have been shown to assist in the assembly of the disks any type of attachment which will serve the purpose of these springs may be used.

The modification shown in Figs. 4 and 5 is similar to that disclosed in Figs. 2 and 3, except that the disks are divided into quarter segments instead of in half segments. In the assembly of the disk units two disks are placed side by side and the division lines between the 45 seg ments staggered so that none of the separating lines between the segments is in registration. To hold the segments in position and against rotation a key may be used on the surfaceof the cone engaging keyways in one segment of the disks. Although there is shown a-garterspring 29 corresponding to that shown in Fig. 3 it is contemplated that this may be eliminated entirely or replaced by any suitable device for holding the segments together during assembly. To distinguish the segments-in this -mod'red form from the half segments of Fig. 3, the former are designated by the numeral 30.

In the modification shown in Figs. 6 and 7 a circular disk 3|, preferably made of resilient rubber, isA reinforced internally by having molded therein a plurality of T-shaped reinforcing members 32. The vertical portions of the Ts extend radially from the center of the disk and the'crosspiece are curved to conform with the circumference of the disk. These reinforcement Ts are acted upon by movement of the cones 26 to expand the diameters of the disks uniformly. The reinforcement Ts may be of metal or other rigid material such as plastic, which has sufficient strength to move the resilient material of the disk outwardly upon longitudinal movement of the cones.

Figs. 8 and 9 show a cup shaped disk cut in quadrants or quarter segments as in Fig. 4. 'Ihe difference in this modification lies in the forming of a lip or flanged edge 30a on the outer periphery or circumference of the disks which reduces the wear by riding more easily over obstructions on the inner surface of the pipe, at the same time assuring a closer t between the pipe and the circumference of the disks. Pressure behind the lips or flanges 36a expands them outwardly against the pipe surface. Flexibility of the lips on the disks and the pressure of the liquid behind the disks expand them into full contact with the interior pipe surface. Reduction of diameter of the disks due to wear is automatically compensated for by the cup shaped disksy due to the exibility of the lips. Such disks also have longer life and better cleaning properties than the disks of rectangular cross section shown in Figs. 2 to 7, inclusive. y

Figs. and 11 show a further modification which isa combination of the cup shaped disks of Figs. 8 and 9 and the reinforced disk of Figs. 6 and '7. 'I'he construction shown in these figures is a circular cup shaped disk designated by numeral 3| with over-hanging lips or flanged edges 3 la. Ihe reinforcement Ts 32 in this modication are used as before to uniformly expand their outside diameters. As explained in connection with Fig. 4, it is preferred to stagger the position of the Ts of the respective disks as shown in Fig. 10 and hold them in this position by keying them t0 the cones, if necessary, in order to obtain a more uniform contact of the outer edges of the disks with the interior surface of the pipe. Lips 3| a have the same advantages with respect to wear and better cleaning properties as described in connection with Figs. 8 and 9.

From the foregoing it will -be seen that my invention is one well adapted to attain all of the ends and objects hereinbefore set forth together with other advantages which are obvious and inherent to the structure.

As many possible diilerent embodiments may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

l. In a pipe line swab the combination with an elongated body, tapered members mounted in spaced apart relationship along said body, expandible centrally apertured disks having a diameter of at least that of the interior of the pipe to be cleaned and contacting the interior of the pipe at their circumferential edges, said disks mounted on said tapered members with the members passing through the disk apertures and means for shifting the tapered members relative to the disks as the circumferential edges of the disks are abraded thereby to expand the disks radially.

2. In a pipe line swab the combination with an elongated body, tapered members mounted in spaced apart relationship along said body, expandible centrally apertured disks having a diameter of at least that of the interior diameter of the pipe to be cleaned and contacting the interior of the pipe at their circumferential edges, said disks mounted on said tapered members with the members passing through the disk apertures, said disks made up of a plurality of separate segments flexible means uniting the segments of the respective disks and means for shifting the tapered members relative to the disks periodically during the use of the swab thereby to vary the diameter of the disks.

3. In a pipe line swab the combination with an elongated body, tapered members mounted in spaced apart relationship along said body, expandible centrally apertured disks having diameters at least that of the interior diameter of the pipe to be cleaned and contacting the interior of the pipe at their circumferential edges, said disks mounted on said tapered members with the members passing through the disk apertures, said 6 disks arranged in pairs on said body and made up of a plurality of separate segments flexible means uniting the segments of the respective .disks and means for shifting the tapered members relative to the disks periodically during the use of the swab thereby to Vary the diameter of the disks.

4. In a pipe line swab the combination' with anelongated body, tapered members mounted in spaced apart relationship along said body,l expandible centrally apertured disks having" diameters at least that of theinterior diameter' of the pipe to be cleaned and contacting the interior of the pipe at their circumferential edges, said disks mounted on said tapered members with the members passing through the disk apertures, said disks arranged in pairs on said body and made up of a plurality of separate segments, division lines between the segments located out of registration and means for shifting the tapered members relative to the disks periodically during the use of the swab to vary the diameter of the disks.

5. In a pipe line swab the combination with an elongated body comprising telescoping internal and external members, expandible disks whose circumferential edges contact the interior surface of the pipe mounted on tapered members, said tapered members positioned in spaced apart relationship along the external body member and longitudinally fixed upon the external body member, apertures in the external body member,means extending through said apertures for attaching the tapered members to the internal body member and means for shifting longitudinally the telescoping body members and tapered members and disk members to Vary the diameter of the disks.

6. A fluid propelled pipe line cleaner comprising telescoping members which form an elongated body, tapered hubs spaced along said body and fixed to one of the telescoping members, expandible disks mounted on the tapered peripheries of the hubs and xed to the other telescoping body member, and means for shifting the body members axially relative to each other to vary the diameter of the disks.

7. An apertured propelling and scraping disk for use with a pipe line cleaner comprising a plurality of disk segments having circumferential holes, said holes in the abutting segments adapted to register when assembled, and a coiled tension spring extending through the holes in all of said segments and having its ends fastened together for holding the segments together.

8. In a pipe line swab, an apertured disk encircling a central hub, T-shaped reinforcements embedded in the disk, each T having its crossbar disposed circumferentially of the disk and inwardly from the periphery of the disk, and the stem of each T extending radially inward from the crossbar and abutting said central hub.

9. In a pipe line swab, a radially expandible apertured disk encircling a tapered hub, substantially rigid T-shaped members embedded in the disk, each T having its crossbar disposed circumferentially of the disk and inwardly from the periphery of the disk, the stem of each T extending radially inward from the crossbar and abutting said tapered hub, and means for shifting the tapered hub axially of the disk thereby to force said rigid T-shaped members radially outward.

JOSEPH F. STEPHENS.

(References on following page) REFERENCES CITED The. following references are of record in the 111e, of this patent:

UNITED. STATES PATENTS 5,

Number Name Date 436,359 McDonald J an. 5, 1892 1,620,788 Thompson et al' Mar. 15, 1927 12.663191 Irvin July 17, 1934 m 242,366 Preston May 31, 1881 2,283,560, Pumphrey May 19, 1942 Number 

